NBC Universal and Apple have been in contentious negotiations as of late, mostly over, you guessed it, money. NBC Universal, of course, wants more. This follows Universal Music Group (part of Vivendi, the world's largest corporation) recently announcing that they would not renew their contract to sell music through iTunes.

Videos of NBC shows will be available on iTunes through December, when the original contract expires. As to the Universal music, they announced that they would sell to Apple 'at will,' meaning they can cancel their partnership at a moments notice.

Whether this all is actually carried out remains to be seen. In several ways, Apple does not make much money off the actual digital products sold on iTunes--between 70 and 80 percent go directly to the labels and studios. So in effect, NBC and Universal have decided to bite the hand that feeds. But Uncle Steve is very well known for not taking things sitting down. If an agreement is not able to be reached before December, expect all sorts of fireworks.

23 August, 2007

Featured Etsy Merchant: Matte Stephens, Artist Extraordinaire

Some people are so talented, they just make you sick. Or envious. Or just plain bored with whatever it is you're currently doing that's not quite so groovy. The world is full of people like this. But there's always room for one more.

Matte is a young artist from Alabama who has a flair for the whimsical. He has been painting for a living for the last 12 years, drawing influences from all things modern, including Charles Eames, George Nelson, and Irving Harper. His work can be found in various galleries and art shows in NYC and throughout the country.

20 August, 2007

Run, Timmy! It's a Robot Beltbuckle!!!

My loverly wife is not the only person who has so wonderfully surprised me with something robot-related. My voonderbob sister also surprised me--OUT OF NOWHERE!!!--with this gift (which she also found on Etsy):

I have no idea why I really like robots so much. I think some of it is how Dad likes old sci-fi and how we used to watch a lot with him, particularly when we were little. Some of it is probably my affection for the now-dead 'Horizons' ride at EPCOT Center and how there were just a ton of robots in it. Either way, while I may not know exactly the mystery behind my affinity for all things robotica, I DO know that I am most grateful to my sister and my wife for their recent fun sturprises (yes, I meant to spell it that way) that they have so thoughtfully and generously bequeathed me. Thank you so much, Sarah and Jenni. I love you both so much.

Don't forget to click on the pics. They will enlarge for greater detail!

17 August, 2007

Meet Marcus the Robot!

Recently, Jenni surprised me with a new robot! And not just any robot, Marcus the Robot, hand-made by Vandicklier.

Check out his majesty!

...

No, seriously, check it out:

Everybody at work has stopped by to inquire about the new addition to my desk, and everybody has asked the same question:

'Does the latch work?'

WHY, YES IT DOES!!!

He is a fairly advanced robot. He runs on pipe cleaners. Very energy efficient.

I love the detail Vandicklier went to in building this thing. It's great, and I really love it.

Thanks so much to my wonderful wife for such a fun surprise. Now, you all know I love robots, and Vandicklier has tons more. And really, if he knew how much I liked them, he'd charge more than $16 at his Etsy store. But since that's it, you all may go buy me one.

So props to Vandicklier, and much thanks to my loverly wife. My wonderful seester also recently surprised me with some robot paraphernalia, and as soon as Jenni gets her fair share of glory, it will be Sarah's time for hers...